Baby exerciser and toy rack



March 6, 1934. L. WIGHTMAN BABY EXERCISER AND TOY RACK Filed May 12, 1932 A a; m W/m r/v/m Patented Mar. 6, 1934 UNETEEE 5 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved exerciser and toy rack for infants and has for one of its principal objects the provision of means for suspending a swingable object between the sides of a baby crib, baby carriage, or other like device in such a manner as to enable a child to kick or push the same with its feet.

Another important object of the baby exerciser and toy rack of this invention is the provision of means for amusing the infant with bells, dolls or other objects suspended from a horizontal bar, which also supports the swingable object.

Another and further important object of this invention resides in the provision of means for increasing the weight of the swingable object as the childs legs grow stronger or whenever desired.

A still further important object of this invention resides in making the device adjustable and therefore adaptable for use on cribs or carriages of various widths.

Still another important object of the invention resides in the provision of means for attaching the device to cribs or carriages having top rails of difierent sizes.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawing and the following specification.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawing, and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a front elevation of the baby exerciser and toy rack of this invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a detail view with parts broken away and shows the method of attaching the spring to the cross rod passing through the swingable object.

As shown in the drawing:

The reference numeral 10 indicates in a general way a horizontal bar, which in the preferred form is constructed of tubular material and is provided with slidable extensions 12 at each end. The outer end of each of said extensions is bent to form an inverted U as best shown at 14 in Figure 1.

A rubber or felt buffer 16 is attached to the inner portion of the inverted U to prevent marring or scratching of the crib or carriage rail while the device is in use. An ordinary winged nut or clamping screw 18 is used to secure the exerciser to the crib rails.

A plurality of comparatively light wire rings 20 are slidably positioned on the bar 10 as supporting members for a corresponding number of toys, or the like 21. Light helical springs 22 attached to the rings 20 are used for suspending dolls or other toys from the bar 10. Springs are used for this purpose in preference to cord or ribbons because of the additional movement given to the suspended article.

Articles such as dolls, toy bears or the like, when suspended from the bar by a spring, simulate a weird, grotesque, hopping dancelike motion, whereas when such articles are suspended by a cord, a swinging motion only is set up. The method of attaching such articles is by winding the spring once about the object and then hooking the free end in the body of the spring. The article is thus firmly held in the loop so made.

A pair of comparatively heavy wire rings 24 positioned on the bar 10 as best shown in Figure 1 provides a means for attaching a pair of relatively heavy helical springs 26.

A cylindrical member 28 or the like, preferably supported on an iron rod 30 and composed of coarse fibrous filler 32 covered with a fine weave fabric 34, although other material such as rubber or the like may be used, is suspended below the horizontal bar 10 by means of the helical springs 26. Integral books 36 on the lower ends of said springs are passed through annular loops 38 formed on the ends of said iron rod and secure the cylindrical member in the desired position.

While a cylindrical member 28 is shown in the preferred embodiment of this invention as illustrated in the drawings, a ball or other suitable object may be used.

A rubber tube or other soft covering 40 is fitted over the lower portion of the helical springs 26 to prevent said springs from chafing or otherwise injuring the infant while the device is in use.

A suitable opening 42 in the upper portion of the cylindrical member is for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the weight of said member as desired. This can be closed by lacing 44.

It will be evident that herein is provided an infant exerciser and toy rack that is both novel and useful and moreover, it may be instantly attached to cribs, carriages or other like objects in which infants spend most of their time. It is adjustable to fit various sized cribs or the like.

It is further evident that herein is provided an economical article of manufacture which provides an enticing exerciser for the baby and also an amusement in the form of dancing dolls and ringing bells. Furthermore, as the objects or toys on the springs may be changed and varied, monotony is avoided.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction varied throughout a wide range Without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art.

I claim:

1. In an infant exerciser and toy rack, a horizontal bar, inverted supporting hooks slidably positioned on each end of the horizontal bar, and an elongated striking member suspended in a horizontal position from said bar.

2. In an infant exerciser and toy rack, a horizontal bar, inverted U shaped elements slidably positioned on each end of the horizontal .bar, and an elongated striking member suspended from said bar, the longitudinal axis of said member being parallel to the horizontal bar.

3. In an infant exerciser and toy rack, a horizontal bar, inverted U shaped elements slidably positioned on each end of the horizontal bar, and

an elongated striking member suspended from said bar, a rod passing through said member.

4. In an infant exerciser and toy rack, a combination of a horizontal bar and a roll shaped member, a rod passing through said member, said rod having a loop formed on each end thereof, means for attaching said bar to a crib, and means for suspending said roll shaped member from the horizontal bar, said means consisting of a pair of relatively heavy helical springs and a rubber covering for the lower portion of said pair of springs.

5. In an infant exerciser and toy rack, a combination of a horizontal bar and a roll shaped member, a rod passing through said member, said rod having a loop formed on each end thereof, said loops extending beyond the ends of the roll shaped member, means for attaching said bar to a crib, and means for suspending said roll shaped member from the horizontal bar, said means consisting of a pair of relatively heavy helical springs and a covering of soft material for the lower portion of said pair of springs.

LILLIAN WIGHTMAN. 

